I'm taking 70 mg of prednisone for pmr/gca and tonight I noticed large red splotches all over my tongue. Also, since I started prednisone, I have really bad breath. I've always practiced healthy oral hygiene and have never had a problem like this. This is even embarrassing to admit.
Is this normal? Has anyone else experienced this?
What sort of splotches are they? Was it thrush befire you cleaned your teeth ir more like this...
medicalnewstoday.com/articl...
As a nosey person, I followed the link and found it Interesting. Another no known cause or cure...............
It does say that 'corticosteroids rinses' help - which leads me 0 a complete non medic person, to think, pred is not the cause....................I would check it out with your GP.
Someone had geographic tongue a few weeks ago...cant claim to previous knowledge.
healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...
These things always need checking.
I tried to pull up the article but web said it was very lost. To describe as best I can, one of the first things, a few days into prednisone, I noticed was I couldn't really taste anything. I had a metallic taste in my mouth. I got used to that, but then the worst breath ever set in. I couldn't stand to be around myself! So, when mouth had a little bit of a burning sensation, I took a good look inside and I had very bright red, very large blotches all over my mouth. I've never had thrush before so I came here and it seems my symptoms are consistent.
Usually a white top on the red bits for thrush. Once you brush it off its red underneath. Dry mouth can cause red patches anywhere where teeth, food or tooth brush and certain toothpaste rub. I cant use Colgate toothpastes at all otherwise my mouth get very red and sore...it something to do with one of the ingredients that whitens the paste. If you cant see the dr ask the pharmacist. They are usually cognisant with different issues related to side effects. Hope you id it so you can treat it. Will try and link again but if you put geographical tongue in Google you can find lots on it.
I've been dealing with that for years because of Sjogrens. This is still a first. I didn't mention the white spots because it was kind of like, what comes first, the chicken or the egg?
White says thrush. Especially if red underneath. You need the oral version but i have found if my mouth is infection its everywhere. I tend to attack all ways in terms of thrush treatment. I get a pack if ten cheap toothbrushes. Not as good as my electricity toothbrush but i dispose each day, despite my concerns about the environment. I will give Milton's ir something a go in future.
Thanks for your help. I started the inside out treatment for oral thrush yesterday. I just didn't have the answer to how often I toss my toothbrush. I'm loaded up on those too. Life on prednisone is interesting to say the least!
It would keep us on our toes if we weren't stiff! Hope it starts to clear up ok.
😃 Thank you!
2 well known side-effects of pred. are oral thrush- I haven't had this so don't know much about it- and dry mouth. I seem to get this with every drug I am on and it is horrible. It does reduce as your body gets used to the medication but I have lived with it for 7years now. I wake up every morning with a horrible taste in my mouth and often have to chew chewing gum during the day to help it which it does. You may have both of these or only the thrush. You are currently on a high dose and it should also get better as you reduce .
I'll have to get mints (I've never been a mint person) but gum hurts to chew. Gca not under control yet, so it hurts to chew. But, it8nice to hear I'm not totally falling apart everywhere and that "this too shall pass".
Careful with mints - they may have sugar and if they don't have sugar the artificial sweetener may lead to "the runs" if you use too many!
Oooooh! 😯 Thank goodness I've never liked mints!
Apologies if i am repeating and also if you feel queasy easily. I have terrible dry mouth due to meds. The dental therapists recommended toothpaste that does not have sodium Lauryl Sulfate. I am using a sensodyne version and it foams less. The mucous plaque that gathered along my gums (and presumable teeth) stopped within a couple of days. No mouthwash that's got any alcohol in - that drys it out too. I use sips if water all day. But at one point i got a spray from the chemist that moistened your mouth.
Check with your GP in case it is oral thrush - not unusual when on higher doses of pred. They should give you nystatin or something similar to kill of the fungal infection.
And afterwards - change your toothbrush! Cutting simple carbs and sugar is also said to help reduce the risk and yoghurt is also a popular home measure.
I haven't had simple carbs for almost a year ,and I believe that's why I haven't had the prednisone appetite. But, I guess I can't stop everything. I'll talk to gp about nystatin and I guess I should stalk up on toothbrushes. Always a good idea anyway. Thank you!
Someone has said that Milton (the stuff for sterilising baby's feeding bottles) also works well on toothbrushes to reduce carryover of the fungus during treatment.
I also use hydrogen peroxide solution bought from chemists because it effervesces and gets rid of tiny solids in the bristles.
That's also a good idea. I'm still going to call gp, but meanwhile would love getting started on something over the counter. Or, I'm also a believer in home remedies as long as they're safe and they work. I'm allergic to yogurt but it sounds like I need acidopholous as a daily regimen. What to do?
healthline.com/health/home-...
has a list of home remedies to aid with sorting out thrush. They suggest probiotics if you can't use yoghurt as well as a range of things that you can use as mouthwashes.
Thank you, PMRpro! Probiotics. I can't believe I forgot about those. A good daily supplement to take anyway.
And prebiotic food ...lots of websites.
Hi pollymarierose
I started probiotics from day one with the steroids. Have been on high doses for GCA and not had thrush. Now down to 5mg after 4 years. The one I use is “optibac” everyday kind.
Have you tried swilling with cold pressed extra virgin coconut oil. Don’t swallow it and swill for as long as you can daily. I use it all over for any sores or rashes or infection and it nips them in the bud. Just a thought. Sorry your going thru this and all the best cc 🤗
Thank you! I got all of the supplements I need while on prednisone (which sounds like I could be on for a long time). The one I didn't think of was a probiotic, but got that yesterday also. You're fortunate you haven't had Thrush. First time for me plus a whopping lesson in humility.😯
Sore Tongue
Blotches...Splotches...?
Pain over Greater Trochanters
Tired all the time
All ok but.......
